Ice rink to open on Mill Street

December 1, 2013

By Lisa Capobianco
Staff Writer
With the winter season just around the corner, the ice skating rink will kick off its third year the week of December 8 on Mill Street, just across from the Rails to Trails.
Open throughout the entire winter months, the rink moved downtown from Memorial Park last year. Town Councilor Dawn Miceli and Water Commissioner Michael Domian, who are neighbors, thought of the idea for a public ice rink because of their own memories of skating with their families.
Raised through private donations, the rink is collapsible and reusable year after year.
“We are very excited. We have a new liner for the ice rink because ours was a little damaged last year,” Miceli said during last week’s Town Council meeting. “ESPN once again stepped up for this community, and paid for that replacement liner, and now we will have a double layer of liner.”
Weather permitting, the ice rink will be open Sunday through Thursday from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m., and Friday and Saturday from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Skaters must wear appropriate safety gear and use the rink at their own risk. They must abstain from bringing alcohol, food and drinks in the rink, which is also a smoke-free area. During recreational skating hours, hockey play, sticks or pucks are prohibited.
Special hours for hockey lovers will also continue this year. Hockey play will take place on Wednesdays from 7-9 p.m. and Saturdays from 3-5 p.m. Hockey players must have helmets or a face shield and protective gear while on the ice. Recreational skating is not allowed during hockey hours.
Miceli said she hopes the weather holds out the third time around, especially since Mother Nature did not cooperate the first two years.
“We are looking forward to a great skating season this year because the weather has not cooperated in the first two years,” Miceli said. “The third year has to be the charm.”